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THE SPORTS XCHANGE

Jul 19, 2014

, Last Updated: 2:53 PM ET

New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia had trouble sleeping and feared his career could be over before finding out that he will have arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome right knee next week instead of the more serious microfracture surgery.

Sabathia already knew he was out for the season, but Wednesday's surgery should allow him to return by spring training next year.

"I was very concerned," Sabathia said Saturday. "I told my wife last night, 'My season is over, but it was the first time was I able to get some real sleep,' just knowing that I don't have to have the microfracture and I can return next year."

Los Angeles Dodgers team doctor Neal ElAttrache will perform the surgery in Southern California on Wednesday.

Sabathia finished this year 3-4 with a 5.28 ERA.

Sabathia, who turns 34 on Monday, will need six to eight weeks of recovery before he can begin preparing for next season. However, he will eventually need microfracture surgery.

"It is something I'm probably going to have to deal with the rest of my life and eventually have a big surgery," Sabathia said. "The goal is to keep playing and this is the easiest way to do it."

The Yankees owe Sabathia $48 million over the next two years. He also gets $25 million in 2017 if he avoids a shoulder injury.

Sabathia believes he will pitch beyond that.

"(Oklahoma City Thunder guard) Russell Westbrook had the same surgery and was able to come back," Sabathia said. "Obviously, you have to deal with a little bit of swelling here and there, but that is something I have to deal with. My goal is to pitch the next five or six years, past this contract. I'm confident that I can do that."